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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday claimed that the success of Operation Sindoor has led to a surge in global interest in Indian-made defence equipment. According to him, the operation served as a powerful demonstration of the capabilities of indigenous weapons systems.
Singh made these remarks while inaugurating the Controllers’ Conference–2025, organised by the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) in New Delhi. The annual conference provides a platform for assessing challenges, initiating reforms, and strengthening financial governance in support of national defence preparedness.
“The world is looking at our defence sector,” Singh said. “The valour shown by our soldiers during Operation Sindoor and the performance of our indigenous weapons have increased international demand for Indian defence products. With global military expenditure now exceeding $2.7 trillion in 2024, a vast market lies ahead of us.”
Emphasising prudent utilisation of the defence budget, the Minister highlighted that India’s defence allocation is larger than the GDPs of several nations. He underscored the added responsibility this imposes on all stakeholders in the defence ecosystem.
“When such a large share of the people’s hard-earned money is committed to defence, the sector’s accountability increases manifold,” he said.
Singh also pointed to recent reforms in procurement mechanisms. For the first time, the Defence Acquisition Council has allowed capital procurement through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal—a move he termed “a commendable step.” He also revealed that work is underway on a Comprehensive Pay System and a centralised personnel database for the armed forces.
Reflecting on the evolving nature of defence preparedness, Singh remarked that the current transformation within the sector is both rapid and unpredictable.
“The kind of changes we see in defence today were unheard of earlier. Peace time is a bluff—nothing more. Therefore, it is crucial that we strengthen our defence sector even during peace,” he said.
He stressed the need for preemptive planning to meet potential surges in equipment demand and advocated for enhanced financial planning in defence.
“We must think ahead—how will we respond to a sudden spike in equipment needs? These are the questions that must be addressed during peacetime,” Singh noted. “We need to take decisive steps forward in defence economics, especially since the world is entering a new era of rearmament with substantial capital investments in this sector.”
The Controllers’ Conference serves as a premier forum for policy dialogue, strategic review, and institutional innovation. It brings together senior leadership from the Defence Accounts Department, civil services, academia, think tanks, and stakeholders from across the defence and finance domains.
Team BharatShakti
